Saturday, August 10, 2013

13-Year-Old Stevie Wonder Hits #1: August 10, 1963

In 1963, “Fingertips – Part 2” was the first live song to hit #1 in more than a decade. It was primarily an instrumental to showcase this musician’s talents on the harmonica. It sounds like an unlikely hit, but one that a seasoned veteran – like Ray Charles – might pull off. The singer did share similarities with Charles – he was blind and black and is considered one of the greatest soul geniuses in history. One difference – he was a twelve-year-old kid when he recorded his masterpiece and only 13 when it hit the top of the charts.

No one knew what greatness was in store nearly fifty years ago, but a #1 song for a thirteen-year-old for his first chart entry isn’t a bad way to start. At first, some may have thought he was a novelty who would come and go quickly. After all, music history is littered with teen sensations whose careers died before they hit 20. It looked like Wonder might go that route initially – over the next couple years, he only chalked up a few minor top 40 hits. It took 2 ½ years before his next significant hit – “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)”, a #3 song in 1966. Jump to present day and Wonder can boast to landing more than two dozen top ten pop hits; nine of them went to #1. He has also charted on the Billboard Hot 100 in five different decades. If he can chart something before 2020, he’ll have done it for six.

Hey, Ms. Panda. Yes, my parents told me you might be "dropping by". With your interest in writing, you might check out the Monday Night Writers Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Monday-Night-Writers/183763435011393). I am in a writing group along with six others and we post about our writing adventures but invite other writers to join in the conversation (and promote themselves as well).